132 BIRDS OF THE WATER 



dsij by day, whilst at work on the nests 

 of other species. 



Fantails breed at least during six months 

 of the year, for during this 1909-1910 

 season I have noted in my diary the earliest 

 nest in August, the latest in February. 



The birds sit so close that not infrequently 

 they can be stroked on their nests, and 

 when on one occasion this season the sitting 

 bird had to be moved, she suffered herself 

 to be lifted off, clutching her tiny claws 

 into the nest and holding on like a broody 

 hen. 



Sometimes almost no notice seems to be 

 taken of the camera; at other times the 

 birds are more suspicious, in this, as in 

 other matters, each pair having its own 

 particular idiocyncrasies. Sometimes the 

 branch holding the nest has to be cut down 

 and lowered — afterwards, of course, to be 

 carefully replaced. On one occasion, when 

 this had been done, one of the birds 

 returned, and not finding the nest in its 

 proper place, began to show all the signs 

 of violent rage, scolding, and creaking and 



